Multiple rowel spur

ABSTRACT

The present invention is for a multi rowel spur which provides for the rotational change of rowels on the spur while attached to the rider&#39; foot, thus allowing for individual adjustment of the spur rowel necessary during training and riding of the individual horse.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/934,908 entitled: Multiple Rowel Spur filed Jun. 15, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of riding spurs, and more particularly to spurs of the type having rotatable rowels mounted thereon. The riding spur of the present invention is particularly adapted to training and showing horses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The utilization of riding spurs for cueing and training horses is well known. The incorporation of rotatable rowels mounted on spurs has been known for many years. However, prior art spurs have not been particularly suitable for differing horses or stages of accomplishment. For example, at differing stages of training and depending on the particular sensitivity of the individual horse it may be desirable to use a different type of rowel in order to achieve the desired movement from the horse. Unfortunately, for individuals riding multiple horses, such as a trainer, or for those performing multiple events it may be necessary to have multiple spurs with different rowels in order to achieve the desired movement without causing undue discomfort or harm to the horse.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to devise a spur with multiple rowels and a method of changing the rowel, which address the drawbacks of current solutions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a riding spur is provided with a shank and rotatable rowel. A portion of the shank supporting the rotating rowels is a two stage configuration where the terminal portion of the shank rotates on its axis midway between its ends and locks into place with a spring loaded locking mechanism. The addition of a two stage rotating shank provides for the use of multiple types of rotating rowers on the same spur shank allowing for easy exchange between the different rowels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a multiple rowel spur in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the multiple rowel spur is shown attached to a boot;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the multiple rowel spur illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the multiple rowel spur illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the multiple rowel spur illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using the multi rowel spur.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring generally to FIG. 1-4, a multi rowel spur 100 is shown in a conventional U-shaped form having arms 110 and 120 extending forwardly of the wearer's boot. Notches 130 and 140 are formed in the arms 110 and 120 and may include suitable hinges or hinge pins (not shown) to permit convenient attachment to the wearer's boot. Normally, leather straps are used that are buttoned on metal buttons hinged to such hinge pins for securing the spur adjacent to and in contact with the wearer's boot. The spur 100 includes rearward extending arms 150 and 160 collectively known as the shank that terminate in a second stage shank supporting member 170. The rearward extending arm, (150 or 160) includes a vertical attachment apparatus 220. The vertical attachment apparatus 220 is configured to receive an attachment pin 230, which connects a second stage shank locking mechanism 240 to the appropriate rearward extending arm (150 or 160).

In a present embodiment, a second stage shank 180 has a centrally located pivot hole 200 formed therein through which a pivot pin 190 may attach the second stage shank 180 with the second stage shank supporting member 170. The second stage shank 180 is formed with two locking holes 210, one located on each side of the centrally located pivot hole 200. The second stage shank 180 bifurcates at each end to provide for the attachment of the spur rowers.

In an embodiment of the present invention, second stage shank 180 may pivot on the pivot pin 190 to reveal one rowel and locks into position on the rearward extending arms, (150 or 160) to create an extension of the shank while exposing only one of the multi rowers at a time. The locking mechanism 240 is configured with an integral pin 250 that travels through the shank (150 or 160) and is received into the second stage shank 180 at one of the two locking holes 210.

In further embodiments, the locking mechanism 240 is held in the locked position with pressure applied by the use of a spring device 260. The spring device may be one of a leaf spring, a conventional spring, or any device that creates positional stability of the locking mechanism 240. The spring device 260 is attached to the rearward extending arms (150 or 160) on the same side as the locking mechanism 240.

In further embodiments, the rowels on the second stage shank 180 are rotated by exerting sufficient force on the locking mechanism 240 to overcome the pressure supplied by the spring device 260, thus releasing the integral pin 250 from the locking hole 210 and allowing for rotation of the second stage shank 180 and the exposure of the riders choice of rowers. The second stage shank 180 is then locked into place by releasing force on the locking mechanism 240 and aligning the integral pin 250 with the locking hole 210.

Referring generally to FIG. 5, a method for using a multi rowel spur is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A first rowel and a second rowel are attached to a second stage shank 180 at a first end and a second end of the second stage shank 180. An assessment of a situational riding or training need is made according to the horse movement needs and desires of the rider, which then require selecting a rowel in accordance with the desired movement of the horse. Following selection of the rowel, if the selected rowel is not exposed, a locking mechanism 240 that holds the second stage shank 180 in lineal alignment is de-activated and the second stage shank 180 is rotated to expose the selected rowel. With the selected rowel exposed the locking mechanism 240 is activated to secure the second stage shank 180 in lineal alignment with the first stage shank and the selected rowel is exposed.

In a further embodiment, the situational riding and or training needs may continually be re-assessed and the selected rowel may need to be changed. In the event that a change in the rowel is needed the locking mechanism 240 may need to be de-activated and the second stage shank 180 rotated to expose the selected rowel. Once the selected rowel is exposed the rowel is held in position by activating the locking mechanism 240, which secures the second stage shank 180 in linear alignment with the first stage shank.

It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 

1. A riding spur, comprising: a spur body; a multi stage shank, coupled to the spur body, the multi stage shank including a first stage shank and a second stage shank, the first stage shank being configured to provide for axial rotation of the second stage shank relative to the first stage shank; a first rowel and a second rowel, being coupled to the second stage shank, the second stage shank being configured to provide for axial rotation of the first rowel and the second rowel relative to the second stage shank; and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being coupled to the first stage shank, the locking mechanism configured for holding the second stage shank in linear alignment with the first stage shank and exposing one of the first rowel or the second rowel.
 2. A riding spur as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a split first stage shank, the split first stage shank including a first rearward extending arm and a second rearward extending arm aligned parallel and in same plane.
 3. A riding spur as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first stage shank is configured for attaching a first rearward extending arm to the spur body on a lateral offset and a second rearward extending arm attaching to the spur body on a medial offset.
 4. A riding spur as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first rearward extending arm and a second rearward extending arm converge distally from a spur body attachment without joining.
 5. A riding spur as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second stage shank includes a first end and a second end.
 6. A riding spur as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second stage shank is rotatably connected to the first stage shank.
 7. A riding spur as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second stage shank is configured for receiving the first rowel on a first end and the second rowel on a second end.
 8. A method for using a multi rowel spur comprising: attaching a first rowel and a second rowel to a second stage shank; assessing a situational riding/training need for a selected rowel; de-activating a locking mechanism on the multi rowel spur for rotating the second stage shank; rotating the second shank for exposing the selected rowel; and activating a locking mechanism to secure the second stage shank and the selected rowel.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first rowel and the second rowel include a plurality of rowel types, such as a cloverleaf, rock grinder, ten point, 6 point, or saw tooth.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein assessing a situational riding/training need includes determining the desired movement of a horse and a rowel required for achieving said movement.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein de-activating the locking mechanism on a multi rowel spur provides for rotating said second stage shank for exposing the selected rowel.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein activating the locking mechanism on the multi rowel spur provides for holding the second stage shank in linear position with the first stage shank and exposing the selected rowel.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: re-assessing the situational riding/training need for the selected rowel; exposing the selected rowel, wherein exposing the selected rowel includes at least one of deactivating the locking mechanism, rotating the second stage shank, and activating the locking mechanism.
 14. A device, comprising: a second stage shank configured for rotatably attaching to a first stage shank.
 15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second stage shank includes a first end and a second end.
 16. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second stage shank is configured for receiving at least one rowel, such as a cloverleaf, rock grinder, ten point, 6 point, or saw tooth.
 17. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second stage shank is configured for receiving a at least one rowel rotatably connected to a first end and a second end.
 18. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second stage shank includes a centrally located pivot hole for connecting to the first stage shank.
 19. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second stage shank includes a locking hole on each side of a centrally located pivot hole for receiving an integral pin. 